PHNOM PENH, Dec 13:The National Assembly of Cambodia on Thursday amended the Law on Political Parties to clear the way for banned opposition politicians to re-enter politics.
Some 115 Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) lawmakers, who were present during the parliamentary session, unanimously approved the amendment to the law’s article 45, which will allow nation’s King Norodom Sihamoni to pardon banned politicians through a request made by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
A total of 118 former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) senior members have been barred from joining politics for five years since November 2017 after the CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court following the arrest of party leader Kem Sokha in “treason” charges.
CPP’s senior lawmaker Cheam Yeap said the legal change aimed to revive the political careers of individuals from any political party who are barred from joining politics.
“The legal change was not made following international pressure, but was made based on the spirit of national unification and the sympathy from the CPP (to those banned politicians),” he told the assembly.(AGENCIES)
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